Motivation
Some times I plan a tracking activity and create a route in QGIS, after I just export as geojson or kml file to use in the mobile. The QField is outstanding, but I would like something more simple, besides it should allow to work off-line.
After some research I found two options for my issues:
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OsmAnd (Offline Maps & GPS): Best for power users, hikers, and detailed mapping, offering offline topo lines, contours, and 3D terrain. The free version allows limited map downloads, while the full version provides unlimited, with excellent offline search, routing, and GPX track recording.
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Organic Maps: An open-source, fast, and privacy-focused app. It is highly intuitive, 100% offline-capable, and excels at detailed hiking trails and cycling paths
Here a simple comparation:
🍃 Organic Maps
Tagline: “Keep it simple and fast.” Best for: Daily commuting, light travelers
Features
- Lightning Fast: Uses a specialized map format that renders zooming and routing significantly faster than most competitors.
- Minimalist UI: Extremely clean and intuitive; no steep learning curve or cluttered menus.
- Battery Efficient: Optimized for low power consumption, making it ideal for long trips without a charger.
- Truly 100% Free: No ads, no tracking, and no features locked behind a “Pro” subscription.
- Limited Detail: Shows fewer map data points (like fire hydrants or benches) compared to the “everything” approach of OsmAnd.
- Basic Customization: You cannot change map styles, layers, or technical overlays.
- OS: Android / IOS
🛠️ OsmAnd
Tagline: “The Swiss Army knife of mapping.” Best for: Power users, hikers, off-roaders, and professional drivers.
Features
- Incredible Detail: Displays almost every piece of data available on OpenStreetMap, including opening hours, accessibility, and niche POIs.
- Extreme Customization: Configure everything from icon sizes to unique vehicle profiles (RV, Truck, Motorcycle, etc.).
- Advanced Outdoor Tools: Includes contour lines, hillshading, nautical charts, ski maps, and depth contours.
- GPX Management: The industry gold standard for recording, importing, and following complex GPS tracks.
- Steep Learning Curve: The menu system is famously complex and can take weeks to fully master.
- Performance Heavy: Can feel “laggy” or slow to render maps on older or mid-range hardware.
- Freemium Model: many advanced features (unlimited downloads, 3D, terrain) require a paid subscription.
- Cluttered UI: The interface can become overwhelming due to the sheer number of buttons and options visible at once.
- OS: Android / IOS
Final Verdict
- For now and my needs, I choosed Organic Maps, I was looking for a reliable, fast app that “just works”. In the future, I may tryOsmAnd for extra functions.
How to use
In my case, I found the instructions on: https://organicmaps.app/faq/bookmarks/how-to-import/. For extra informations: https://organicmaps.app/faq/.
You can import bookmarks and/or tracks sent from Organic Maps or third party apps if they export bookmarks in KML, KMZ, KMB, GPX or GeoJSON (JSON) formats.
- To import a single file:
Locate downloaded or shared KML, KMZ, KMB, GPX, GeoJSON (JSON) file sent by email, instant messenger or cloud storage, for example, iCloud or Google Drive. Tap once or tap and hold the KML, KMZ, KMB, GPX, GeoJSON (JSON) file and choose “Open with Organic Maps” (Android) or “Import with Organic Maps” (an icon with a square box and an arrow on iOS) in the pop-up window. Organic Maps should be launched, and you should see “Bookmarks loaded successfully!” message. You can see imported Bookmarks and/or Tracks on the map and on the “Bookmarks and Tracks” screen.
- Importing bookmarks and tracks in batch is also possible:
Open Organic Maps and tap “stars with dots” button to open bookmarks and tracks. Press “Import Bookmarks and Tracks” button. Select a folder with KML, KMZ, KMB, GPX, GeoJSON (JSON) files. On Android, Organic Maps will scan it including subfolders and import all supported files with bookmarks and tracks. You can choose root folder to search over all storage.